St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-01-20

maiden's eyes. But something of
thankfulDess for vanquished tempta-
ton mingled with that bitterness of
remuneration. All was not gloom,
though the lights of earthly ambition
had gone out. In the exercise of I'M
selfishness Agatha Trenton found a
deep and abiding peace.
On learning of the vicar of Hit
worth's decease, and of the straighten-
ed circumstances of his family, certain
! friends in a southern centre exerted
! themselves to obtain admission for the
| two eldest lads into high-class char
liable institution, established for the
sons of clergymen. The endeavor was
successful, and it seemed to both Aga
/ tina and her mother that it would be
| best to remove into the immediate
neighborhoOd of the school. The
abandonment of the vicaIage was in
any case inevitable. There were few
ties to bind the TrentOns to HiltwOrth,
and so the project of departure was
quickly carried out at Melbury, with
in sound of the city hum, the wrestle
with poverty was continued under
slightly less strained conditions.
A correspondence was naturally
maintained between Agatha and sew
eral of her midland acquaintance. But
in all her letters the girl was exceed
ingly careful to avoid even the most
distant and enigmatical reference to
Roderick Dalling. His life and hers
had drifted apart, and it was better
that a thick veil of oblivion should
cover the bygone episode of max
j ing, But before the summer was over
a fragment of intelligence had come,
which Agatha tried her hardest to re-
ceive with equanimity. "By-the way,
there was quite IL fashionable marriage
here, last week." wrote the unsuspect-
ing friend "Mr. Dalling and Mabel
Sutton have gone into bonds OF holy
matrimony-isn't that the proper ex-
preston ~ And then followed details
of the brides dress and behavior, which
ONLY a feminine pen could have mir
rored SO exactly, and only a lady's
ewes could have been expected to pur-
sue with interest and with orthodox
admiration.
at is all ended, then-all J" muir
INJURED poor Agatha, with sigh and
stray tear. 81 hope they will be
happy"
She went upstairs, sat down by her
mothers sofa and read with even
voice and unwOnted pathos. She
would crush down unlawful repinings
at the very outset.
Very nearly two years had gone by
in this placid humdrum manner. Ag-
that's painting had prospered, and the
heavy breathing of the gaunt old wolf
was no longer audible at the family
door. Moreover Mrs. Trenton was
distinctly improving in health and
spirits. The change to Melbury had
accomplished what medicine could
only feebly attempt. The boys were
doing we'll with their studies, and the
three younger children were day by
day becoming more hopeful. The
horizon was decidedly brighter than
at any date since the death of the rev.
erend father, and the good fortune
so far as Agatha was concerned had
not yet reached its climax.
Strange stories had recently drlfted
to Melbury respecting the doings at
Hiltworth. 1t was said that coal had
been discovered in the vicinity that a
mining shaft had been sunk in field
in the rear of Messrs. DAZZLING Bros
mill, and that nothing short of an in
dustrial revolution was before the en-
tire district. Agatha longed to ex-
plore for herself these wonders, but
scarcely dared to venture as yet into
the possible presence of her ancient
lover, even if she could easily have
spared the time she had to be con :
tent with the reports of her cores
pOndents for awhile.
1t was a hot August day, and the
silence of the summer nOOntlde SEEM
ed to have penetrated into every cot
tage and homestead in Melbury. The
| ticking of the corner clock was the SOL
itary sound that troubled the repOse
of Agatha's trim little kitchen. The
girl was pausing in her task of setting
in order some sketching materials.
Suddenly ring came at the bell. She
hurried through the passage. and open
ed the door.
agatha in person? Surely good
sign p said ROderick Dalling, impuls-
lively, with out-stretched hand.
The girl had paled, and with diff
Guilty depressed cry of eager JOY. Her
surprise betrayed her unquenched at
lection.
"Mr. Dalling! Where is your wife ?"
she faltered ut last.
"My wife 2"
"Yes; l heard of your marriage
many months ago."
A sudden light broke upon him.
"That was my BROTHER" he answer
ed.
"Dick fell in love with Miss Sutton,
and the engagement was very short
one. You did not think me 50 tickle,
Agatha ?"
What could she sayP The reproach
in his tone had gone to her heart, and
stirred strange depths of passion and
of happiness. She was silent and her
eyes refused to meet Roderick's earn
est gaze.
The visitor was standing in the old
fashioned parlor now, and without re-
sistance he had drawn Agatha to him.
81 have waited as | said | would"
he whispered 81 knew the cause of
your objection, and L hOnored you for
it. | meant to make a fortune and
then come to you again, if it were
years hence. But you have given me
wealth, and all have to do is to ask
that you will share it,"
"IP-hOwP"
'IDstead of taking Brighton villa L
bought the Moortield. You have heard
the result P'
"Coal has been discovered"
THAT coal would belong to-day to
another but for your decision of self
sacrifice. Half of it is fairly yours,
Agatha. Will you accept it 2"
Roderick had no need of spoken re-
ply.
''But how did you find me out ~ she
asked, some minutes later.
Through Alice FrOwde-I should
suppose your leading correspondent. |
have really never lost sight of you,